Healthcare Quality Strategies, Inc., (HQSI) is working with healthcare providers to improve medication safety for Medicare consumers in New Jersey. Consumers who are informed and take an active role in their healthcare are less likely to experience a medication error. In the 2007 report, Preventing Medication Errors: Quality Chasm Series the Institute of Medicine offered some examples of safe medication practices consumers can take:

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• Maintain a list of all the medications you are taking, including over-the-counter drugs such as cold medicines, vitamins, and supplements, because these may interact with prescription medications

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• Take this medication list (your Personal Medication Record) with you whenever you visit a healthcare professional, including your pharmacist, and have him or her review it. Check out the Resource links, for examples

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• Know where to find educational material related to your medication(s) in your community or on reliable websites (e.g., the National Library of Medicine’s Medline Plus, the National Council on Patient Information and Education, HealthyNJ )

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• If you are prescribed a new medication, ask your doctor: the name of the medication (both the brand and generic names), why you are taking it, how to properly take it, how it is supposed to help your condition, the possible side effects of the medication, and what to do if you experience side effects. You should know this information for all your medications

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• Take advantage of your right to counseling by the pharmacist. You can ask the pharmacist (just as you did with your doctor) to explain how to properly take the drug, the side effects, and what to do if you experience side effects

There are many different types of Personal Medication Records available.

Remember:

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• Always keep your medication list up to date

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• Keep a copy with you at all times (in your wallet or handbag)

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• Keep a copy safely at home

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• Make a copy of your medication list for a family member or caregiver

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• Share your list during your healthcare visits and with the pharmacies you use